Famous Chilean Professor on Greek Culture

The famous Chilean professor, Miguel Castillo Didier in a recent interview talked about the importance of Greek culture.

Didier stated that Greece, although it is a small country has given the world important poets and writers such as Kazantakis, Seferis, and Kavafis who have offered humanity work of high value. He also referred to eminent Greek composers such as Manos Hatzidakis and Mikis Theodorakis who have influenced the international music scene.

Didier is the director of the Centre for Ancient, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies in Santiago, Chile since 1993. He teaches the ancient and modern Greek language as well as ancient and modern Greek literature. He has also translated works of Kazantzakis, Papadiamantis, Elytis and Kavafis.

Commenting on Greece’s current situation he noted that despite the recession, Greece is still playing an important role in the international cultural field. He pointed out that Greece has a great ancient heritage which people around the world, and especially in Chile, respect and admire. That is why they love not only ancient but also modern Greece. He reported that the Chileans like Greek literature, especially Kazantzakis and Kavafis and expressed his belief that the modern world has a lot to learn from the ideals of the ancient Greek civilization.